Dear Friend:

I have had the pleasure of serving the citizens of District Six and the City of Bonita Springs as a City Councilman for seven years. In that time there have been many accomplishments and many changes. Many of those changes have been good, but we need to refocus on the priorities and needs that were set out in our Cities original goal and vision.  From the very beginning our community made it very clear that our city government needed to concentrate on quality of life issues.  Solutions to traffic, code enforcement, enhanced policing, lighting, sidewalks, protection of our environment, green space, parks and redevelopment of our downtown area needed to be priorities.  As your Mayor, I want to get back to that vision. I want Bonita Springs to be known as the finest City in Southwest Florida.  

In order to accomplish this I commit to bring a renewed sense of spirit and optimism to the office of Mayor. I want to build and renew relationships with our County Commissioners and County staff, our Senators and representatives, and our neighbors in unincorporated Lee and Collier County.  These relationships are important and beneficial to everyone.  We will not always agree, but I believe in always being respectful and positive.  Our communications with these partners and to our citizens need to always convey this commitment to work as a team.  We are, after all, stronger together.

We are very lucky to have excellent and dedicated employees, and I want to bring to your City government a renewed philosophy built around customer service. From the first person to answer the phone at City Hall, to the City Manager, Mayor and Council, we need to let you know that we are there for you. Our job is about people... the people we serve. The goal of all of us at the City should be to be polite, understanding and helpful... there for the public.  I want our citizens to be proud of their City, of their elected officials and of the staff that works so hard for them.  I have always believed that when you are entrusted with something, you give it back in better condition that when you received it.  That's a  promise we should keep for those that come after us...  one that I want to keep as your Mayor.  A better, more beautiful Bonita Springs for us and for our future residents.

                                                           Ben Nelson Jr.